Cabinet - Tuesday, 25th November, 2025 7.00 pm - Agenda and draft minutes

Under the Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors, all Members are required to disclose relevant Interests in any matter to be considered at the meeting.  Where the matter directly relates to a Member’s Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Registrable Interest, that Member must not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not remain in the room unless they have been granted a dispensation (see note below). If the matter directly relates to ‘Non-Registrable Interests’, the Member’s participation in the meeting will depend on the nature of the matter and whether it directly relates or affects their financial interest or well-being or that of a relative, friend  or close associate, applying the tests set out in the Code.

NOTE:

On 27th May, 2021, the Council’s Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee granted dispensations to Members appointed by the Council to the Board of the Rushmoor Development Partnership and as Directors of Rushmoor Homes Limited.

Having regard to the Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors, no declarations of interest were made.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 14th October, 2025 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 14th October, 2025 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To consider Report No. ED2509 (copy attached), which sets out performance monitoring information in relation to the Council Delivery Plan and Risk Register for the second quarter of 2025/26.

The Cabinet received Report No. ED2509, which set out the performance monitoring information for the Council Delivery Plan and key service measures for the second quarter of 2025/26. Members were informed that key projects and activities from the Council Plan and key service indicators and measures used by the Council to monitor how the Council runs services were included in the report. The Cabinet heard that the Council’s Corporate Risk Register identified factors that could impact on the future delivery of the Council’s services and key priorities. A summary of those risks was provided in the report for discussion. Annex D to the report set out an updated Corporate Risk Management Policy and Procedures for approval. Members were informed that where, at paragraph 2.5.2 of the Policy, it was stated that the Council’s Audit and Governance Committee would review the risk management arrangements on a quarterly basis, this should have read annually. The Cabinet would continue to receive quarterly updates.

In discussing the report, Members were satisfied that good progress was being made by the Council towards delivering this year’s Council Delivery Plan.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the progress made towards delivering the Council Delivery Plan and the latest performance information in relation to Council services, as set out in Report No. ED2509, be noted;

(ii)          the changes highlighted in the Corporate Risk Register, as set out in Section 5 of the Report, be noted; and

(iii)         the updated Corporate Risk Management Policy and Procedures, as set out in Annex D of the Report and amended at the meeting, be approved.

To consider resolving:

That, subject to the public interest test, the public be excluded from this meeting during the discussion of the undermentioned items to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against such items:

Item                Schedule      Category

Nos.               12A Para.

                        No.

5 and 6           3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

RESOLVED: That, taking into account the public interest test, the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the under mentioned items to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against the items:

Minute           Schedule      Category

Nos.               12A Para.

                        No.

43 and 44      3                      Information relating to financial or business affairs

To consider Exempt Report No. PG2540 (copy attached), which seeks authority to dispose of the freehold interest in the Optrex Business Park, Rotherwick, Hook.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. PG2540, which sought approval to dispose of the freehold interest in Optrex Business Park, Rotherwick, Hook, subject to the finalisation of terms.

Members were informed that this disposal would contribute to the delivery of the Council’s Financial Recovery Plan and was, therefore, a key priority. The Exempt Report set out the process that had been carried out so far and Members were informed that a preferred purchaser had been selected.

The Cabinet expressed strong support for the proposed approach as making a significant contribution towards improving the Council’s financial position.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the agreement, in principle and subject to final legal due diligence, to the disposal of the freehold interest in Optrex Business Park, Rotherwick, Hook, as set out in Exempt Report No. PG2540, be approved; and

(ii)          the Executive Head of Property and Growth, in consultation with the Executive Head of Finance, the Interim Monitoring Officer and Corporate Manager – Legal Services and the Economy, Skills & Regeneration Portfolio Holder, be authorised to confirm the final terms of the disposal.

To consider Exempt Report No. PG2541 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal to provide a budget for a potential future event in the Borough.

The Cabinet considered Exempt Report No. PG2541, which set out details of Government funding that was due to be received in respect of an event which, potentially, would be held in the Borough in Summer 2026.

Members were informed that details of this event could not be made public at this time but that it would be prestigious for the Borough to host and would deliver benefits that would be in line with the Council’s priorities. At this point, Members were informed that the event would represent a significant undertaking and that it would be necessary to ensure the event was resourced sufficiently.

The Cabinet expressed strong support for the proposed hosting of this event as a significant opportunity for the Borough.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the opportunity to host the event set out in Exempt Report No. PG2541 be welcomed and accepted, with the arrangements for a launch date in early December being noted;

(ii)          the grant to support the event, in the sum set out in the Exempt Report, be accepted;

(iii)         the underwriting of the cost, up to the estimated figure set out in the Exempt Report to be raised from commercial sponsorship, be approved;

(iv)         in the case of insufficient private sponsorship being realised, funding of the sum set out in the Exempt Report, along of the split between the 2026/27 events budget and the Community Recovery Fund, be approved;

(v)          the proposals for seeking sponsorship to cover the remaining costs and the commencement of fundraising activity to meet the projected costs net of grant costs of hosting the event, as set out in the Exempt Report, be approved; and

(vi)         the Cabinet to be informed of the projected net cost as the project progresses and a formal request for additional funding to be made beyond the sum set out in the Exempt Report before it is committed, including how this would be funded.